Collapsible table cabinet



July 5, 1938. c. E. WHITCOMB COLLAPSIBLE TABLE CABINET 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 6. 1935 INVENTOR ATTORNEY (jlzarles E. Whz'icomb July 5, 1938. c. E. WHlTCOMB COLLAPSIBLE TABLE CABINET Filed Sept. 6, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EY Patented July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES COLLAPSIBLE TABLE CABINET Charles E. Whitcomb, Bayslde, Long Island, N. Y.

Application September c, 1935. Serial No. 39,423

2 Claims.

This invention relates to furniture and more particularly refers to improvements in collapsible structures, adaptedto serve the purpose of a table and desk when extended and to be folded into a compact and unobtrusive cabinet when collapsed. 1

Artists, illustrators, engineers and business people generally often find it desirable to do at home some work requiring the use of a drawing w table or a typewriter desk. 0n the other hand,-

the space limitations generally existing in a modem home and the necessity of excluding the use of oflice furniture-in order not to mar the decorative scheme, make it impossible to provide the necessary working facilities.

I have, therefore, devised a novel and improved article of furniture, which, while adapted to be used in homes of refinement without conflicting with decorative requirements, is adapted to be 20 transformed into a working table or desk whenever required.

The primary objectof this invention, accordingly, is to provide'ia babinetof-novel and improved construction, very compact in appearance 25 and occupying but little space, said eabinethaving "a built-in collapsible side structure, adapted to v be" extended into a solid; and serviceable Jworking table, cooperating-wlththe. cabinet in together forming ,a complete working desk.

Anotherobject is to provide a collapsible table cabinet, so constructed that when in its folded J condition its table portion remains entirely concealed within the body of "the'cabinet so that the cabinet itself form's a'harmonious and attractive 35 article offurniture which can be made with very good lines and in any suitable-finish. A further object is to provide, in a cabinet of the character specified. a. top also adapted to form a tableextensioningorderto increase the 40 useful workingspaceat the-disposal of the user,

;said top being preferably niade-intheform'of two leaves, 'foldable on top of each other, or extensiblealongside of each-other.

' A still furtherobject is to provide a compact and attractive combination folding table and cabinet; which is especially suitable for use as an artist's or engineer's desk, and also as a desk for typing and general use.

50 Other objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear as the description proceeds and will be set forth and claimed in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated by way of example 7 I in the accompanyingdrawinsain'whlch:

step in the setting up of the working table ex- 10 tension; i

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of the fully extended structure, showing the top of the cabinet completely turned over in its folded condition;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section of the working table through line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is-a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section through line 6-8 of Fig. 4.

The cabinet shown in the drawings represents the preferred embodiment of my invention. The I same comprises a frame 2.0. which is relatively narrow and deep in a front to rear direction,

the height of said frame being about the height of an ordinary desk or drawing table, as the case may be. The frame is preferably equipped with a number of drawers, such as shown at 2i, 22, which are normally concealed .by a foldable front panel 23. Itis to'be understood thatthe.

l arrangement of the drawers is optional and such was-will best serve the'purpose for which the cabinet isintended. For instance, when the desk.i s to be used for drafting or illustrating purposes," the top drawer 24 can be exposed without pulling it out by completely tilting to one side the top 26, as shown in Figs. 3.and 6.

To this end the top ofthe cabinet is hingedin a. front to rear direction'to the upper edge of one of the side panels 28, as shown at 21.

On the other hand, if it should be desirable to extend the top and at the same time provide 40 out uncovering the top drawer ll, as shown in Fig. 2.

It will beobserved that both in the case where the top is turned over as a whole, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, and where onlythe upper part a of the top is turned over so as to form an extension therefor, the exposed working surface is not the top surface which is exposed when the cabinet is in its normal or collapsed condition. I It is, therefore, obvious that such high polish or finish as the upper surface of top leaf 25" may be given for the sake of appearance will be protected against damage whenever the cabinet is extended for working purposes.

It will also be observed that when the front door or panel 29 is completely turned to one side, it will form a solid support for the top when it is completely turned over, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

The other side of the cabinet is in the form of a collapsible table panel. comprising the side or outer panel 29 of the cabinet proper and a supporting panel or leg 99 for the table extension. Panel 29 is hinged onto the frame of the cabinet along the rear vertical edge thereof, as shown at 3|, and supporting panel 99 is hinged (into the outer vertical edge of panel 29, as shown at 92.

By virtue of this construction it is possible to unfold panel 29 90 with respect to its normal position as one of the sides of the cabinet, so that it will form a continuation of the back of the cabinet; and similarly, it is possible to unfold panel 99%" with respect to its normally folded position against the inner surface of panel 29, to a position where it will be parallel to but longitudinally spaced from the position normally occupied by panel 29, as shown in Fig. 4.

When panel 29, together with panel 39, is unfolded from its normal position it uncovers a recess 33 in theside of the cabinet, housing the top 94 of the working table, which is hinged onto the frame of the cabinet in a. front to rear direction along the upper part of inner recess panel 99, as shown at 39 in Fig. 3.

Normally the table top hangs down vertically within the recess, as shown in Fig. 2, and when panel 29 is unfolded to the position shown in Fig. 3 the table top 94 can be tilted upwardly to the horizontal extended position shown in Fig. 4, and its supporting panel 99 can be unfolded and brought to support the outer end of table 34.

It willv be observed that when extended the upper edge of panel 39 will register with the lower surface of table top 94. In order to make their inter-engagement more secure, panel 39 is preferably provided with a number of pegs ll, adapted to enter corresponding openings (not shown) in the bottom of table top 94.

If desired, tabletop 34) can be longitudinally recessedto receive a sliding extension 39, providing an auxiliary table surface at the left of the user. It will be observed that when the table structure is in its working position the space under the table is entirely clear of obstructions, so that the user can sit comfortably at the table with ample leg room.

For drawing and illustrating purposes the table top is preferably equipped with an adjustably tiltable board 99, which, as shown, is hinged at 49 to the frontof top 34.;The two sides of top 94 are provided with a series of notches 4|, which, as usual in drawing table construction, canbe engaged by arms 42, pivotally attached at 49 to the sides of the board.

It will, therefore, be seen that in a broad sense my invention comprises a cabinet having a recess at one side and a collapsible table structure adapted to be housed within said recess or to be extended therefrom.

It will be observed that in the cabinet illustrated working surface of the table extension is not constituted by the side surface of the cabinet when closed, but by another normally concealed surface; so that the finished or polished surface of the cabinet proper is protected against rubbing, scratching and other damaging possibilities which would be present if any portion thereof were used as a working surface.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I provide a compact and serviceable cabinet, which can be made both useful as a working desk or table and decorative as an attractive piece of furniture.

The constructional details of my invention may vary from those shown without departure from the inventive idea. The drawings should, therefore, be understood as being intended for illustrative purposes only and not in a limiting sense.

I accordingly reserve the right to carry my invention into practice in all those ways and manners which may enter, fairly, into the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An article of furniture of the character described, comprising a cabinet frame having a recess at one side, and a side panel normally concealing said recess, said side panel being hingedly connected to the back of the cabinet so as to pivot to a vertical laterally extending position, to form an element of a table structure laterally extending from said cabinet, a table top hinged in proximity of the upper part of said frame, vertically depending therefrom within said recess, said table top being tiltable to a laterally extended horizontal posititon, to form a second element of said table structure, and a support for the outer end of said table top hingedly connected to the outer edge of said side panel, said support being swingable to a vertical front to rear position under the outer end of said table top, and completing said table structure.

2. An article of furniture of the character described, comprising a cabinet frame having a recess at one side, and a side panel normally concealing said recess, said side panel being hingedly connected to the back of the cabinet so as to pivot to a vertical laterally extending 'position, a table top hinged onto and in proximity of the upper part of said frame, vertically depending therefrom within said recess,- said table top being tiltable to a laterally extended horizontal position, a support for the outer end ofsaid table top hingedly connected to the outer edge of, said panel, said support being swingable to a front to rear position under the outer edge of said table top, and being adapted to interlock therewith.

CHARLES E. WHITCOMB. 

